If an inspector becomes aware of hazards or violations within a federal property, what should they do?

• A. Notify the property owner
• B. Ignore them
• C. Report them to the proper agency or authority to seek corrective action
• D. File a civil complaint

Answer: (C)

When you find hazards or violations on federal property, you escalate the issue to the agency or authority that has jurisdiction to enforce safety and require corrective action. This ensures the problem is addressed through the proper channels, with the appropriate follow-up, documentation, and enforcement steps. Simply informing the property owner may not trigger the required corrective actions, and ignoring the hazards is unsafe and unlawful. Filing a civil complaint isn’t the mechanism for addressing on‑site fire safety issues discovered during an inspection. Reporting to the proper authority keeps the process formal and actionable, and it aligns with how federal properties are managed and corrected.